From New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author M. Leighton comes an epic tale of a love so deep that it defies all the odds, breaks all the rules, and promises never to die.

Dane James worked my stepfather’s fields. He was the boy next door.

Strong. Hardworking. Forbidden.

From the moment we met, we were star-crossed lovers—always wanting, never having. We loved each other for most of our lives, but right from the beginning destiny had other plans. She knew we would fall in love. She knew we would fall apart. Over and over again, like the curse of a recurring nightmare. Or the hope of a familiar dream.

Our past was tumultuous. Our future was bleak. But the one thing we always had was the beautiful now.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is the best book that I have read in 2017 yet!!" -- Heidi, My Girlfriend's Couch

"Once again I am blown away by all things Leighton. Beautiful story, amazing plot, crafted writing...this book was everything. Reading it you see it play out in your mind as a movie and I didn't want to ever see those end credits roll. I just needed it to keep going. And I am hoping and praying we may get more. Please let there be more. 5 Beautiful Stars!" - Mandy, I Read Indie

"The Beautiful Now is exactly that - Beautiful. It's love story of epic proportions." -- Courtney, Read-Love Blog

"I truly wish I could give this one more five stars, I would definitely give 10 if I could. This is one of those books, you just know from the beginning is going to pull at your heartstrings and it really does. I've read of ton of books this year and this one just moved to the top of my favorites list." -- Catherine, Cat's Guilty Pleasure

"What I loved was that their story transcends the span of 22 years and shows that love can last forever even when all the odds are stacked against you. That there is always a way even when we think all hope is lost. That even when we do what we think is best and hurt the ones we love that their is forgiveness to be found and second chances are a blessing not to be taken lightly. And when faced with the harsh realities of life, love can still prevail over all." -- Jennifer, Book Starlets

"I started reading - and I kept on reading. I couldn't stop. It was all so heartbreakingly sad and beautiful and sweet and frustrating and I just could not stop." -- Bianca, BJ's Book Blog

"It stands out amongst most of the second chance romances I've read, though. I'm not sure I can put my finger on exactly why it stands out so much, but I do know it felt completely unique in its structure and delivery. The characters were interesting and unique, their relationship transcendent." -- Sarah, A Literary Perusal

"...this book was every damn thing." -- Rosemarie, GR reviewer

About the Author

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a rarely ever comfortable speaking about herself in the third person, but here goes. Michelle is a former nurse who has always harbored a passion for the written word, a weakness for alpha males, and a profound love of all things romantic. Never in her wildest dreams did this Yankee-turned-Southerner imagine her life as it is today. She has the best job in the world, a husband who treats her like a princess, and a dog that's so smart she may one day write a novel, too. You can often find Michelle hidden away in her cave, crafting a new story, or out in the sunshine enjoying some quiet time with her man. Movies, wine and good food are frequently thrown into the mix, and exercise on days that start with Q. She loves laughter, chocolate, the color red, and you can find out more about her at www.mleightonbooks.com. Sign up for her newsletter here: http://smarturl.it/MLeightonNews She promises not to spam your inbox:)

Top customer reviews

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This was undoubtedly a beautiful story, it had all the elements to make up a heart-wrenching sob-fest. I loved a lot of this story, it was unexpected both in the setup and the story-telling. Once I got into the story I was entranced, it did take me a while to become fully invested in Brinkley and Dane’s story, though.

The Beautiful Now is a second (or maybe third or fourth) chance romance. It stands out amongst most of the second chance romances I’ve read though. I’m not sure I can put my finger on exactly why it stands out so much, but I do know it felt completely unique in its structure and delivery. The characters were interesting and unique, their relationship transcendent.

What made this book work so well was how Ms. Leighton juxtaposed the desperate love of their past with the jaded reticence of their present. I appreciated that we got entire passages from the past peppered throughout the story, rather than getting a glimpse here or a flashback there. Getting to experience the entirety of their time together at a specific age made those experiences more real and the feelings they wrought more effective and lingering.

My hands down favorite element of this book was the reason Brinkley returned to a home and a town she hated. It was also the catalyst that caused her to flee in the first place. It is what gave this book a flavor all its own, and likely what made it outshine so many other second chance romances I’ve read.

I did have a hard time getting into this book at the beginning. The first quarter, or so, was a little slow for my liking but as I read I realized those slow scenes - all of that little, seemingly inconsequential ‘stuff’ I didn’t connect with – was vital to setting up how Brinkley ended up in the last place anyone would ever ask to be in.

The Beautiful Now was a wonderful commentary on societal perceptions and expectations, as well as parental pressure and understanding. I appreciated how M. Leighton was able to delicately comment on how easily a society can skew a parent’s perception of what is the right thing for their own child. And how she then turned that type of right and wrong into something so much larger than I could have ever expected.

Damnit, Michelle. You pulled at this momma's heart strings, big time. How I made it through this book without ruining my kindle from the tears falling, is beyond me. This book is just so much of everything, I have no idea where to start or what to say.

The Beautiful Now is exactly that - Beautiful. It's love story of epic proportions. It's not just about the love between a man and a woman, but a mom and dad and their child. It's about the love we have for another that runs so deep, we'd do anything so that the other person is living a happy life, even it means we have to give up our lives for them. Damnit, I am crying writing this review. This is what book did to me. All the feels.

Michelle's previous book, The Empty Jar, she made my heart ached; with this book, my heart took another beating of epic proportions. And it hurt for some many different aspects in this book. But she also mended it and made my heart sing. I laughed at the silly nuisances between Brinkley and Celina; I cried over the heartache that these two had to endure; I felt hope and love between them all.

I love that Michelle tells this story from Brinkley's POV in both the past and present. It helps show the undying love between Dane and Brinkley; how something that deep can never be severed - no matter the time, no matter the reason. It's soul crushing. Even though they knew everything was against and they could never be, they still chose to try. But fighting the inevitable, hurt them more in the long run.

Dane - wow, that man is something is else. I love that he never cared what anyone else thought. He lived his life the way he wanted and chose not to let anyone's opinion sway him. His strength bled into Brinkley. He was her rock.

As a mother, this book really hit home for me. I pray I never go through anything that Brinkley did with her daughter. But that unconditional love is something as a parent you just can't explain, it is just there from the beginning and only grows stronger with each beat of their little heart. The closeness that Brinkley and Celina share as mother and daughter is raw and honest and it's one I have with my own daughter - I would give anything for her. She's my sunshine, my reason.

This was another emotional read from Michelle. She doesn't hold back on taking you to the heart and soul of a story. She gives you everything that reaches deep within you. I highly recommend this book to everyone. But know that going in, your soul will get blasted and come back feeling refreshed.

Thank you Michelle for writing another epic story about life and love. My heart goes through the ringer with your books, but I am forever grateful to experience everything I do with your books. I felt this book deep in my bones. <3

"We didn't have a future. We couldn't possibly. We both knew it. But we had the now. The beautiful now. And that was better than nothing."

What can I say, book after book Michelle just knocks them out of the park! Her books are full of emotional roller coaster rides that you never want to get off. The Beautiful Now is a tear jerker and a heart breaker. I went from the very highest of highs to the lowest of lows and back again. It's not just this story either, its the way she delivers it, how you don't see things coming till they slam into you. With the way she's written this book, you get just enough in areas to leave you frustrated and wanting more.

Dane and Brinkley's story will break you down with the manipulative and conniving adults that they both encounter and endure. It will infuriate you and evoke very passionate feelings of hatred for them all. I sat asking myself how could someone be so callous and so cruel, to these beautiful young adults. How could a parent not see their child for the blessing that they are. How could Brinkley be such an amazing person after everything that she had endured.

What I loved was that their story transcends the span of 22 years and shows that love can last forever even when all the odds are stacked against you. That there is always a way even when we think all hope is lost. That even when we do what we think is best and hurt the ones we love that their is forgiveness to be found and second chances are a blessing not to be taken lightly. And when faced with the harsh realities of life, love can still prevail over all.